Chitosan-polyethyleneimine with calcium chloride as ionic cross-linker (CsPC) was synthesized as a new kind of adsorbent using a simple, green and cost-effective technique. The adsorption properties of the adsorbent for Acid Red 88 (AR88) dye, as a model analyte, were investigated in a batch system as the function of solution pH (pH 3-12), initial AR88 concentration (50-500 mg L-1), contact time (0-24 h), and temperature (30-50 °C). Results showed that the adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-first order kinetic model and the adsorption rate was governed by both intra-particle and liquid-film mechanism. Equilibrium data were well correlated with the Freundlich isotherm model, with the calculated maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of 1000 mg g-1 at 30 °C. The findings underlined CsPC to be an effective and efficient adsorbent, which can be easily synthesized via one-step process with promising prospects for the removal of AR88 or any other similar dyes from the aqueous solutions.
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are recognized as an important cause of human diseases and infections. It is commonly known to cause infections of the skin, soft tissue infections, and pulmonary infection as well as bacteraemia. We report a challenging case of severe mycobacterium abscessus bacteraemia in a pregnant lady with active systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). A comprehensive literature review of NTM infection among SLE patients was also performed, and pooled analysis of the reported cases, including our case, was done to determine the clinical characteristics and factors associated with poor outcome of NTM infection.